Berwin Leighton Paisner (BLP) is advising Amber Infrastructure Group (Amber), a leading international infrastructure specialist providing asset management and investment advisory services, on the installation of the UK’s largest roof mounted solar panel array.

An industry leading project in terms of scale, the 24,272 PV panel structure is being installed on Marks and Spencer plc (M&S) East Midlands Distribution Centre and spans the site’s 900,000 sq ft roof.

Expected to be completed by early 2015, the new solar PV system will generate over 5,000 MWh of electricity per year (enough to power 1,190 homes), as well as helping to lower carbon emissions by 48,000 tonnes over 20 years. The energy generated will be enough to make the fully automated distribution centre close to self-sufficient during daylight hours.

BLP advised Amber on the acquisition of the project vehicle and the development of all key project documents and are delighted to have been involved in such a pioneering approach to renewable generation and energy efficiency solutions for commercial and public sector real estate owners.

The BLP team was led by Head of Projects & Infrastructure Mark Richards, assisted by Senior Associate Kiran Arora and Associate, Gavin Doyle.

Commenting on the project, Tom O’Shaughnessey, Partner at Amber, complimented BLP for having “a very commercial and flexible approach”.

Mark Richards, Head of Projects & Infrastructure, said: “We are delighted to have supported Amber on this market leading transaction. Large scale rooftop solar is likely to have an increasingly important role in the UK energy mix and helping our clients find solutions to unlocking its development potential is a key part of our service.”